An Evening with Ann Mitchel
Metalworks
Friday, February 12, 2021
We are delighted to welcome Anne Mitchell to our Speaker’s Series.
Anne started her creative career over 25 years ago as a professional lighting designer. Looking for another outlet for her artistic energies, Anne began teaching chain making and metal working approximately 18 years ago for just pure enjoyment. During those years, Anne found that the creative outlet provided by teaching as well as a consistent demand for her classes was too alluring to deny. Leaving lighting behind in 2003, Anne is now a full-time designer, teacher, and author.
Look around and acknowledge that for more than 20 years we live in a “I must have it now society” of instant gratification. A world where information, ideas and solutions are at our fingertips. All that is required is a quick internet search and the answer to any question that we have is at our disposal. How can we combat this cycle that we are faced with and maintain our individual creative spirit in the face of overwhelming external stimuli? In this talk we will discuss, and try to answer these questions & I will share some of my techniques with you as well.
Anne will be sharing one of her favorite cocktails, give us a quick tour of my her studio, show her PowerPoint demonstration with a Q&A session and will finish up with a quick demo.
You can see more of Anne’s work on her website.
After the Demo Update!
(If you missed it, remember that members can watch the recorded demo on the Facebook Members’ Page, check it out! And if you aren’t a member but would like to be, visit the Membership page)
After working as a professional lighting designer for several years, Anne began chain and metal working about 25 years ago and loved it. She eventually left lighting to concentrate on metals as a designer, teacher and author. Anne discussed many ways in which we can make our lives and work more enjoyable and productive, just a few of which follow.
Anne’s presentation was a wonderful insight to finding her creative muse. Her approach to the whole creative process was very thoughtful and brought into focus how we can all develop our own artistic voice and style.
She gave us her thoughts on getting the most from taking any kind of class, “project” or “process”. After taking a class, the student may use the “techniques” learned in class to further develop their own creativity and design approach. This will help to define a student’s own artistic path and make their work distinctive rather than derivative.
Anne also gave us ideas for making the environment in our work area conducive to focusing on the job at hand and what we can do to promote an emphasis on creativity with minimal distractions. (For example, she listens to only non-distracting music, or plays videos that she has seen before so she doesn’t divide her focus.)
One important thing Anne talked about is that laughter and other positive, enjoyable activities refresh us, sending us back to our projects with renewed enthusiasm.
Anne finished her presentation with a demonstration of how to use fine silver to set a bead, simply and elegantly, and it was very enlightening.
Thank you Anne, for sharing your time and expertise with us!
Visit Anne’s website to see more of her work and get information on any classes she may offer.
If you would like to show some appreciation for her generosity in sharing her skills with us, you can send Anne something for her tip jar (any amount, large or small is welcome.)
Dragon members have access to this recorded presentation, found on our Facebook Members Group.